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Chenani Nashri Tunnel – Asia’s Longest Bi-directional Road Tunnel In Jammu, Srinagar

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Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better – Albert Einstein.

If you are a nature lover and an adventure enthusiast than Kashmir and Srinagar are the places that should be on your dream destination list. The snowcapped mountains and the soothing greenery all around are sure to mesmerize you for life.  But unfortunately a few days back, the place was beyond our reach for half the year owing to the bad weather conditions blocking the roads for any tourist visiting. The inauguration of the Chenani Nashri tunnel on the 2nd of April 2017 is definitely news that would excite anyone with an adventurous soul, especially since it has opened many doors for people who are yet to explore this paradise on earth.

Chenani Nashri tunnel also known as Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee tunnel is longest bidirectional tunnel in Asia constructed on the Jammu & Srinagar highway. It is India’s longest road tunnel till date.  The detail that is of utmost importance  to all of us adventure lovers  is not only  the fact that it  would provide an all weather access through  the snow bound roads between Jammu and Srinagar  but also reduce the travel time period by two hours. Before the existence of the tunnel we not only had to cross a stretch of 41 kms between Chenani and Nashri but would have to pass 44 spots which were avalanche and landslide prone. Now the distance has not only reduced to a mere 9.2 km but also travelling through this route has become much safer thanks to the advanced technology used in construction of the tunnel.

The Chenani Nashri tunnel is considered an engineering masterpiece owing to the fact that it has been built in one of the most challenging landscapes of the Himalayas.  Around 1500 engineers, geologists and experienced hands were employed to take care of this venture. The project took around four years to be completed.

It consists of two tubes that run parallel to each other. The tunnel that is for the most part utilized for the vehicular traffic is of diameter 13m and the other spare tunnel used as an escape course in case of any urgent situation is of diameter 6 m.  Both tunnels are of just about 9 km long and are inter connected with 29 cross passages after every 300 meters throughout the distance end to end. Each of these twenty nine passages adds up to 1 km length. So if until now you wanted to go on a road trip filled with adventure but were concerned about your safety as well, than Chenani Nashri will not disappoint you in either of the aspects. The international standards maintained at the tunnel is awe inspiring .It  would amaze all to look at the fully integrated tunnel control system with state of the art equipments such as power supply , fire fighting equipments and SOS call box . These advanced apparatus would guarantee you a peace of mind throughout your travel. This tunnel has proved to be a boon for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only has it acted as a catalyst to the economic growth of the union territory but also has a major role to play in the hike of tourism in the area.

So if you are looking for an ideal destination for your next venture, then your search ends here.  A toll of mere 85 rs for a to and fro trip through the tunnel is all it would cost you to have a road trip that would change your life forever.

Featured Photo of ‘ A night view of Chenani-Nashri Highway Tunnel, Jammu Kashmir’ by Sidheeq under CC BY-SA 4.0

How Rohtang Tunnel Could Change The Fortune Of Himachal ?

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Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment

Rohtang tunnel is a symbol of hope that is being carved through a dark mountain which would change the fortune of the people of Himachal Pradesh. It was a dream of our former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee to build a tunnel under the Rohtang pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. This prestigious project would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by about 46 kms. The roadway that go through the other side of Rohtang pass usually  takes 5 to 6 hours to reach  Keylong  from Manali  without  taking into account the slow moving traffic this area faces. This same distance would only take a maximum of half an hour once the route is inaugurated.

rohtang-tunnel
Photo of ‘rohtang-tunnel’ by Jon Evans under CC BY 2.0

The Government has planned to build this tunnel keeping in mind that the Manali Sarchu Leh road remains closed for 6 months finishing all road connectivity with the rest of the country. Once the 8.8 km long tunnel is operational this would be another honour added to the excellent engineering work done in India in the recent past. It would become the longest highway tunnel to be made at an altitude above 10,000 feet (3000 meters). The beautiful snow-capped mountains on both sides would definitely be a dream destination for all of the adventure lovers in the country.

This 10.5 meter wide tunnel would be quite exceptional to any other road tunnel we have witnessed so far.  Safety measures taken inside this tunnel are incredible and are a proof of astounding civil work. It would have a bi lane emergency tunnel built into the main tunnel itself.

Keeping in mind the heavy snowfall these areas experience, avalanche control structures are also being built inside this manmade marvel. These measures would help prevent the roads from any kind of damage making it a lot safer for the day-trippers who would be travelling through this road.

Anticipating a serious traffic in this route, CCTV cameras have been placed in the tunnel to keep a check at the traffic. Sensors have also been installed to keep the pollution level in the tunnel under control.  Some of the other special features of this tunnel that would make long drive a pleasant experience for everyone are the partially transverse ventilation system which would help flow fresh air throughout the tunnel. One of the most distinctive features of this tunnel would be the public announcement system that is being installed in it to make any vital announcements during emergencies.

The Tunnel whose foundation was laid on 28th June 2010 as Rohtang tunnel has now been christened to Atal tunnel on 25th December 2019 as a tribute to our former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The tunnel has been through a lot of challenges in its path to completion. One of the most challenging areas was the excavation of the tunnel especially under the extreme weather conditions. The harsh topography of the place furthermore created quite a hindrance in the way of completion of the tunnel. Despite these difficulties the government is hopeful to open the tunnel to the public in September 2020.

So, if you are already filling in your calendar for the coming year then this iconic tunnel should be on it. Once open for the public, it would be a dream destination for all born with the itchy feet. The idea of being able to visit Leh and Ladakh any of the year is an opportunity one should never miss. So just grab your travel shoes and set off for an adventure of a lifetime.

Featured Photo of ‘rohtang-tunnel’ by Jon Evans under CC BY 2.0

The Vintage Jawahar Tunnel Is An Entity Of Pride And Indian Heritage

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There are a lot of tunnels being made in  India in the recent past  which are really special because of all the modern technologies that are used in constructing these tunnels with variety of advanced features built in them but  Jawahar tunnel ( named after the first prime minister of India ) is quite special for a very different reason. It has been a witness of a lot of history from the time of independence and hence is definitely worth a visit.

Once India attained independence, a need for a tunnel that would connect to Kashmir even during the extreme winters was the need of the hour.  As a result German engineers M/S Alfred Kunz and C. Barsell were given the responsibility to build The Banihal (meaning blizzard) tunnel also known as Jawahar tunnel. This tunnel was inaugurated by the first Vice president of free India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnanan.  It became operational from 22 December, 1956.  Situated between Banihal and Qazigund on NH1A (now numbered as NH 44), it runs for about 2.85 kms in length and its elevation is 7,198 ft.

When the tunnel was initially built it was expected to cater to around 150 vehicles in each direction in a day’s time as oppose to the 7000 it is catering to  today in both directions.

Banihal at present is the only all weather route that connects Kashmir to the rest of India even during the winter months. The only other way is the road cutting through Banihal, which is non- operational during the latter 6 months of the year due to the extreme cold  weather and snowfall  that the area experiences.

Keeping in mind the needs of the present time this tunnel was again renovated in the year 1960. A lot of highly developed technologies have been introduced to the tunnel since then. Ventilation systems, pollution and temperature sensors, lighting systems with emergency phones are installed at regular intervals inside the tunnel. There are also a total of 42 jet fans that  are installed inside the tunnel to make sure that the tunnel is smoke free at all times. The tunnel is operated by a master computer.  Just to make sure that the systems work smoothly at all times in the tunnel, a semi computerised and manual system has also been installed.

Due to the sensitive political situation in Kashmir the tunnel needs to be kept under extreme security at all times. .  The Indian Army makes sure that the tunnel is under 24 hour’s surveillance.   The extreme weather conditions of the tunnel make it a very difficult task for the diligent officers to complete their duty.  Any kind of videos or photography is strictly prohibited inside or around the tunnel. The vehicles once entering the tunnel are expected to follow the same speed that is chosen.Earlier civilian traffic was only permitted inside the tunnel from eight in the morning to twelve in the night. But to the relief of all the travellers since 2009 there are no longer any time restrictions for the civilians as well.

On the Banihal Qazigund road tunnel a construction activity is going on. This activity is planned for a longer duration than it took for the Jawahar tunnel. Also, this project is located at a low elevation as well. It is hoped that this alternate way would help deviate the traffic pressure from the Jawahar tunnel.

So if you want to witness this vintage tunnel that is an entity of pride and Indian heritage than Jawahar tunnel is the place for you. The combination of history, modern technology and the rugged beauty of nature all at once is a rare combination that should definitely  be experienced at least once.

Featured Photo of ‘tunnel’ by Sergei F under CC BY 2.0

Bhatan Tunnel Named After The Village Bhatan Pada In Maharashtra

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Bhatan Pada is a village which is in the state of Maharashtra. It is in the Raigad district, in Konkan division near Panvel city. The village is 9 km away from the Mumbai Pune Expressway.

Bhatan tunnel, named after the village of the same name is one of the first tunnels that one comes across while travelling through the Mumbai Pune expressway. The tunnel is 1.053 km long towards Mumbai to Pune side while around 1.088 km long on the Pune to Mumbai side. The locale vicinity of this tunnel includes Badlapur and Kopoli.

If you are travelling on the Mumbai Pune expressway than Bhatan tunnel is one of the six tunnels that you would happen to meet. Before the Mumbai Pune tunnel was made, travelling through these two cities was not only time taking but life risking as well. The older highway was quite accident prone, according to statistics, killing around 400 people a year.  The construction of this expressway was done to reduce the travel time and the traffic hazards that were created between the two cities. Travelling from Mumbai to Pune or vice versa would take around 7 to 8 hours in the old highway. The rail route was the only swift alternative to travel between these two cities. Keeping all these factors in mind the Government of Maharashtra after a lot of research assigned the work of the Mumbai Pune Expressway to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and the work of tunnels including the Bhatan tunnel to Konkan Railway Corporation.

Bhatan tunnel was handed over into the able hands of experienced engineers and their team. The excavation of the tunnel was done through modern technique and latest gadgets. They built a total number of 91 tunnels in a record time. The tunnel is proud to have a lot of modern facilities including ventilation, lighting and fire safety gadgets.

Bhatan tunnel together with the expressway became available for the vehicular traffic from the year 2002.  The tunnel has an important part to play in the Mumbai Pune Expressway. It is the first tunnel that you would cross while travelling through the expressway. The superhighway has helped in the social and economical relationship of both Mumbai and Pune. The business has grown a lot between the financial capital of India – Mumbai and Pune. The reduction of travel time  from 8 hours to mere 3 hours have become a huge plus point for the economic growth of that area.  After the speed limit has been set to 80 km per hour for private cars traveling through that route, a massive decline the number of accidents is witnessed. This has also encouraged people to travel more to and from these places.  One of the sectors that have really benefitted from this tunnel is the IT. It seems that Bhatan tunnel has not only opened roads but also a world of opportunity for the local people of that area.

The Bhatan tunnel seems to be like a first step towards not only a brighter future for the locals but also a new place for adventure for the tourists. The hills and the natural greenery of the place attract people to visit this place again and again. The expressway is an ideal place for long drives with Sahyadri Mountains welcoming you with open arms. If you are travelling from Mumbai to the cultural capital of Maharashtra than Bhatan tunnel would be the first tunnel you would come across while if you have started your journey from Pune towards Mumbai then it would be the last one before you enter Mumbai. Next time you plan a visit to Mumbai do keep the Bhatan tunnel in your itinerary and I promise you, you would not regret.

Featured Photo of ‘Mumbai Highway’ by Danial Chitnis under CC BY 2.0

Tike Tunnel – The Prettiest Tunnel On The Western Ghats

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Tunnels for generations have been a symbol of mystery and adventure for all of us in India. They seem to have hidden in them some sort of secret which they are ready to divulge provided there is someone to listen.  India having one of the biggest rail tracks in Asia has been a home to numerous tunnels for many years.  India is loaded with many amazing and exhilarating routes for travelling. The tunnels add more pleasure and thrill to these long mesmerizing journeys.  So whenever we board a train, it is more likely than not that we will cross a few tunnels on our way to our destination. So much so that counting the tunnels is almost an obligatory game played by the children here. So next time you want to set out on a thrilling journey at a reasonable budget than travelling through Western Ghats is your best option.

Western Ghats is the home to several long tunnels while various others are still under construction. One of the pretty tunnels among these that you would find in this terrain is the Tike Tunnel. It is a 4 km long tunnel and is located in the state of Maharashtra between Ratnagiri and Nivasar.  Ratnagiri being a beautiful port city along the Sahyadri Mountains makes the view around this place quite breathtaking. To realise the full potential of this trip, you must have at least 20 hours in hand to complete the full stretch from Mangalore to Mumbai either ways. If you do not have so much time at hand and specifically want to visit the Tike tunnel then travelling from Mumbai to Goa could also be a feasible option for you.

Before the Konkan line was set up to connect Mumbai our economic capital to Mangalore, there was no rail route that would link them to each other. Travelling to and from these places was quite a time taking process with a lot of hazards involved. The people had to either take resort to long road trips or through inland trains for these voyages. Today after the set up of this rail route, this line has proven to be a blessing for the people of the Konkan region. Travelling has become easier and comfortable, as a result business has also boomed between these two places showing quite an economic growth for both the cities.

Building any tunnel or bridge in the Western Ghats is not an easy feat and the construction of this tunnel was also no cake walk. The rugged mountainous topography of the place makes construction on these areas for even the most experienced team, quite a challenge.  Mr. Sreedharan the renowned railwayman of India and his squad worked really hard and long to build the entire rail route in the Western Ghats. Special equipment’s were brought from Sweden just to ease the digging work of the tunnel.  The unpredictable landscape mixed with the stormy weather during monsoons delayed the work at hand, quite a bit! The loose soil with their rocky and sandy texture made working in that area quite unsafe, hence the team had to be extra cautious about safety while working on this project. The completion of this tunnel has added quite a star to the brilliancy of the Indian Engineers.

So  If you happen to  travel from the Mumbai through this route  than the 39th tunnel that you would come across in this track would be the Tike Tunnel. The wonderful luscious greenery outside your window and the beauty of the Tike tunnel would definitely win your heart and compel you to travel through this route more than once.

Featured Photo of ‘They run in void spaces wide and deep’ by sagesolar under CC BY 2.0

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